LACEY, Wash. – Saint Martin's men's soccer enters the 2021 campaign with a young, but experienced team, after playing 10 matches in the 2020-21 COVID season. The Saints were voted tied for fifth in the GNAC Preseason Poll with Northwest Nazarene on Friday.
 
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Once again, Simon Fraser enters the season with the top ranking, collecting 34 points, narrowly edging out the defending champions. Western Washington, who went 10-1-1 in GNAC in 2019, finished with 31 points, and a second-place ranking.
 
Seattle Pacific, and Montana State Billings followed behind with 21 and 18 points respectively. Northwest Nazarene, and Saint Martin's wrapped up the standings with 11 points each.
 
Despite the wave of new talent, the Saints return a core of players to lead the charge. Seniors Jose Marquez, and Jason Fairhurst, both who were Honorable Mention All-Conference selections in 2019, combined for three goals, and one assist in 2020.
 
Joining Marquez in the backline will once again be senior Stephen Murray, who played over 900 minutes of action, and collected one goal in 2020. In the midfield, Saints' fans can expect to see Cole Mattson once again, who in 16 matches, scored one goal, and one assist in 2019.
 
Even though they will be listed as freshman due to losing a season to COVID, players like David Settle, Arjun Gill, and Caden Martin made immediate impacts in 2020. Settle led the team with five points, coming from one goal, and three assists in 10 matches. Gill, and Martin both played in all 10 matches in 2020 and score two goals each. Brian Licona, a junior transfer, also contributed heavily in 2020, with one goal, and two assists.
 
After playing all 10 matches in goal for the Saints in 2020, Hunter Askland returns to lead the defense. The sophomore saw nearly 700 minutes of action, making 23 saves, and posting a 2-3-1 record. Bryce Porter checked in to six matches, starting one, and netted 266 minutes of action, along with 15 saves.
 
Other notable returners include Jason Aragon, Isaac Hernandez, and Seth Kobata. The three combined for roughly 1,000 minutes of action, with one goal, and three assists.
 
Heading into 2021, the Saints welcome 11 new student-athletes, who will be joining the roster for the first time.